Let’s Make it Work!

            Ok, the repair man found the house. I guess practicing giving directions to the house was a good idea; I need to do that more often.

                I led him downstairs to the cave and to the water heater. He was completely unphased by the pile of things around it, so I guess that made no difference. He actually used the stuff to stand on to reach the top of the heater.

                    Then he asked me if I had blah blah blah. He did speak slowly but I was still more lost than not. I swear he kept saying something about 80. But maybe he was saying 40 because he used the can of WD-40 we found in the garage. Then he asked if I have anything to clean my oven. Clean my oven? He obviously thinks I am good at that sort of thing. I showed him my meager stash of cleaning products and he took some window cleaner and de-greasing stuff for pots and pans. It was like playing Let’s Make a Deal. I’ll fix your water heater if you have a green pen in your purse! Do you want to see what is behind porte numero deux? If I were a repair man, I’d carry those things with me. Of course, I’m a housewife and I don’t have oven cleaner.

                    After some scrubbing, he shut the heater, washed his hands and said “ok.” He told me he will order a new part that he can put on next time. Like we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other. Oh, goodie.

                    I guess now we just have to wait and see if it works.

5 Responses to “Let’s Make it Work!”

  1. Todd Hollst says:

    I’m not sure service here in the states is any better. Though, at least there’s no language barrier. Unless of course you want someone to trim your trees- in that case you need to know Spanish.

  2. mandy says:

    One plus… French repairmen don’t show off their butt cracks.

  3. Jean says:

    Yes, I know this world of frustration After 8 years living in Jaipur, I still have major problems with repairmen. I know they understand my Hindi, but think they simply enjoy giving me a bad time. But who said I don’t like a challenge?

  4. D.A.D. says:

    It’s funny to read, although I know it wasn’t funny at the time. This is exactly the sort of thing I’ve told people about when they ask about our trip to visit you. I say we don’t know how you are managing to do this; the language barrier working with repairmen, grocery clerks, druggists, doctors, teachers, silver polishers, tailors, housekeepers, gas station personnel, restaurant servers, private jet pilots, librarians, swimming pool lifeguards, mailpersons, policemen, firemen, window cleaners, and heater maintenance people. We wish you well. Hope the hot water is back by now.

  5. D.A.D. says:

    Do you have hot water yet? Your brother will not be a happy camper to survive all cold water effective July. But, alas he could effuse the French with demure charm to rush back and fix it correctly whilst endearing them to the American tourist albiet.

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